diff --git a/pkgs/additional/linux-sane-pinephonepro/default.nix b/pkgs/additional/linux-sane-pinephonepro/default.nix
index 1107c0f74..6b7da9439 100644
--- a/pkgs/additional/linux-sane-pinephonepro/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/additional/linux-sane-pinephonepro/default.nix
@@ -90,9 +90,10 @@ linux_latest.override {
         CRASH_DUMP = lib.mkForce yes;
         CRASH_RESERVE = yes;
 
+        # this is required for boot (but why??)
+        PREEMPT = lib.mkForce yes;
         # TODO: at least one of these is actually required for boot.
         PREEMPTION = yes;
-        PREEMPT = lib.mkForce yes;
         PREEMPT_BUILD = yes;
         PREEMPT_COUNT = yes;
         PREEMPT_RCU = yes;